MOFA-sponsored group finishes Taiwan visit

Staff writer, with CNA

Tue, May 07, 2013 - Page 4

A group of 20 young professionals from around the world yesterday finished a government-sponsored visit, saying they are eager to relate their experiences when they return to their home countries.

The young adults from Mongolia, Israel, Russia and Ukraine said that during their eight-day trip they learned about Taiwan’s rich culture, technology and cuisine, which they will introduce to people at home.

“Both Taiwan’s traditions and modernity have created this unique twist that I haven’t seen in many places,” Hadas Grinvalde from Israel said.

The 33-year-old also lauded the friendliness and hospitality of Taiwanese, saying that her group was made to feel welcome by people they encountered everywhere, from the streets to institutions.

Russian Maxim Chkham, 25, said he was most impressed by Taiwanese food, in particular the spicy seafood.

From April 28 to yesterday, the group visited several places in northern Taiwan, including the Development Center for Biotechnology in New Taipei City (新北市) and a recycling park set up by the Buddhist Compassion Relief Tzu Chi Foundation to promote the nation’s environmental protection education.

The annual program, which was launched in 2009, is aimed at increasing the understanding of Taiwan among young people throughout the world, as part of the government’s efforts to promote the nation’s image abroad, said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA), which organized the program.